Skin cells play an important role in producing what vitamin?
A. Vitamin D
B. Vitamin B
C. Vitamin K
D. Vitamin A
What epidermal layer consists of a single layer of columnar cells that undergo mitosis?
A. Stratum spinosum
B. Stratum basale
C. Stratum granulosum
D. Stratum corneum
Answer (2)
Skin cells are essential for the production of Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, making option A the correct choice. The epidermal layer that consists of columnar cells undergoing mitosis is the Stratum Basale, option B. Both layers play critical roles in skin health and function.
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The student has two questions here:
Skin cells play an important role in producing which vitamin?
Correct Answer: (A) Vitamin D
The skin is vital in the production of Vitamin D. When skin is exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun, it converts a cholesterol-derived compound in the skin into Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol. This process begins in the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, and plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones by aiding calcium absorption. Sun exposure is a natural way to get Vitamin D, though it can also be obtained from certain foods and supplements.
What epidermal layer consists of a single layer of columnar cells that undergo mitosis?
Correct Answer: (B) Stratum basale
The stratum basale, also known as the basal layer, is the deepest layer of the epidermis. It consists of a single layer of columnar or cuboidal cells. These cells are capable of continuous division through the process of mitosis. As new cells form, they push older cells toward the surface of the epidermis. This layer is critical as it serves as the foundation for the regeneration of the outer layers of the skin. The cells produced in the stratum basale eventually become part of the upper layers, providing the protective barrier of the skin.
